Lack of Credit Halted 61,000 New Car Sales in 2025; Mexico City Most Affected
Mexico City, Mexico – January 30, 2026 – Approximately 61,000 potential new vehicle sales in Mexico were not realized in 2025 due to prospective buyers failing to qualify for automotive financing. This data comes from the ‘Financing and Light Vehicle Buyers’ report, a collaboration between the Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors (AMDA), JATO, and Urban Science.
The report highlights that Mexico City bore the brunt of this financing shortfall, with 14,476 multi-purpose vehicles remaining unsold. In stark contrast, the smallest impact was observed in the compact and sports car segments, with only one unit affected in Guerrero and Nayarit, respectively.
National Financing Index and Regional Disparities
The national average financing index for retail vehicle purchases, excluding fleets, reached 73% in 2025. Twenty-five states recorded a credit participation equal to or greater than 70%. However, 16 states fell below this threshold, indicating significant regional disparities in access to credit.
When fleet purchases-which are predominantly cash transactions-are included, the credit participation in new unit sales drops to 61%. In this scenario, only 10 states maintain a proportion of 70% or more.
Market Performance by Segment and Brand Origin
Between January and December 2025, considering both total purchases and fleets, the multi-purpose, subcompact, and pick-up segments showed financing performances of 64%, 64%, and 50.5%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.
Interestingly, Chinese brands also demonstrated a financing index of 68%. The report notes that, unlike other manufacturers, Chinese brands largely relied on alliances with banks acting as their financial arms to provide credit.
Preferred Financing Terms
The report confirmed that for five out of six vehicle segments, the preferred financing term for new car buyers remains 60 months. For the luxury segment, however, the most common period continues to be 36 months, reflecting distinct credit patterns based on vehicle type.
AMDA estimates that thousands of potential buyers were unable to finance a car, in a market where credit remains the primary driver of sales.
Source: El Universal
